The man was put on an awkward position, Monica was sure of it. If it was so, that told her at least something about the man, the fact being that he was no player. And how he choked momentarily on the drink, probably no bruiser at Medusa's head either. Those people, she assumed, handled their liquor much more elegantly, if there could be elegance in the act of the common crook. But when he finally began addressing the issue, something was made clear as smuggled sunlight. That being, his way of speaking dressed him as someone of the University, no doubt, but you never know when your mirror-catch box had been laced with a bit of moonlight in-between. It might just be a really, really good act. But anything else in him didn't hint at them being a particularly good liar. University, definitely. Probably closer to Summerset too, with that belly. They could prove an ally one day...

Nope.

This man had just blurted out the supposedly obvious for everyone to hear. There were a few legitimate shocked gasps from the people around, not as much at what he said but how he said it. One of the young man of the circle looked particularly offended and tossed his hands in the air, turning around on his heel and walking away, hands still raised. Probably off to find a dance partner, Lady Monica would bet. But this whole thing, the directness of the reply, the reaction it had on everybody... she was pretty much the only person who had not been taken aback enough to take the actual step backwards and now that somebody even left the circle... she couldn't help herself any more.

Monica brought her free hand before her mouth as her neck tilted slightly forwards and she began laughing. At first she managed to contain it in part, but it didn't take long for her to throw her head back and share her amusement quite vocally. Truly, there were few people in London with quite as powerful a laugh as His Amused Lordship and despite Lady Monica not being one of them, she still recognised how showing her glee was, very likely inappropriate. The rest of the people who remained seemed almost as offended at the genuine reaction, where they could hold their faces in the expression, that was. The Parasol-toting Poet managed to collect herself after a long few moments, though by then it might already be too late to see the man who had simply expressed his opinion upon request to so. She just... hadn't been ready.

Were he still around, she might choose her next words more carefully. Something along the lines of... oh dear, she didn't even know what to say! Of course she suspected the Masters and she had even said so out loud, but... she couldn't say it to him again, if he hadn't caught on the Player's cant bit. There needed be something to be said... but unlike Lady Monica, somebody else in the circle was quick to catch up on the situation.

"Masters. But of course, the spires of the Bazaar do lay their shadow over all of London. It might simply be a bit far fetched to assume just any gathering to be hosted by Mr Wines... after all, is it not known for weaving along the guests at its revels? I do not see a hooded presence among us at the present moment. But it will have to be conceded, few would be in the wealth to host such an elaborate gathering otherwise. The small amount of guests is bound to help, however", the stranger allowed everyone willing to flow back into the conversation. Many moved away, wanting nothing to do with such an open discussion of those who held power in the Neath. But Lady Monica? She would stay. And she dared secretly hope she hadn't offended the pudgy (assumed) professor to the point of them rushing off. But that was unlikely.

"Now that the cat has been placed upon the table, or the elephant in the room has been addressed as they also say of the animals, one could presume that-", she began, only to be interrupted by another guest entering the room. Or, their host more likely. A hooded figure stepped over the doorstep, accompanied by several gentlemen in black with tall hats emblazoned by the mark of the London's constabulary. They all looked quite like the same, but the way this one carried itself... Wines? No, it had too many constables and it avoided the partygoers just a bit too intently on its way towards the musicants. And they were followed by another, much more jovial figure. Two Masters? The latter was undoubtedly Mr Wines. But... who was the former? And as soon as they had entered, two constables took position at the door. It seemed people were not let leave just yet. A trap after all? No, they would not bring in Masters for that. Lady Monica had to admit: The situation had her quite confused.

[@Sofaking Fancy]